5 Excellent Cable Modems: Buy Your Own and Avoid Rental Fees

Here is a short list cable internet providers and their current modem rental charges. I called them up just today. So here is the math. If you’re paying $10 a month to rent a modem, that’s $120 a year or $600 over 5 years. You can buy a new one that will pay for itself in less than one year. 
Time Warner Cable / EarthLink  $10.00 per month  XFINITY from Comcast                $10.00 per month Charter Communications            Free for Modem / Router $5.00 Cox Communications                  $6.99 per month Optimum by Cablevision             $5.00 per month

1) ARRIS SURFboard SB6183 DOCSIS 3.0 Cable Modem $109.99
  The Motorola ARRIS SURFboard SB6183 Modem is the one I currently own.  I have no complaints.  In my opinion, this is the best cable modem out there that handle my entertainment needs. I do a lots of video streaming and video gaming. It complies with the latest DOCSIS 3.0 and IPC6 standards thus making it well suited to handle very fast upload and download speeds. The SB6183 is compatible with U.S. Cable Internet Providers like Cablevision, Charter, Comcast XFINITY, Cox, Time Warner Cable, and more. Measures 8.5 x 2.5 x 7.8 and weighs 1.4 pounds.
FEATURES High-quality voice and video conferencing 16 downstream channels and 4 upstream channels (16×4) Backwards compatible with DOCSIS 1.0, 2.0 and IPv4 Gigabit Ethernet port   PROS Download speed: 686 Mbps Upload speed: 131 Mbps   CONS Not compatible with Comcast or Cox Cable Complaints of lack of advertised speed No USB port

2) Zoom 5341 DOCSIS 3.0 Cable Modem 5341J – $119.00

  The Zoom 5341J works with most U.S. cable service providers including Cable ONE, Comcast, Cox, Time Warner Cable.  The device comes in black, measures 4.9 x 1.3 x 6.3 inches and weighs 9.3 ounces. The Model 5341J can also be plugged into routers and routers with wireless capability for sharing of your high-speed service with multiple devices. 
FEATURES Supports IPv6 and IPv4 for powerful, flexible network addressing Fast 10/100/1000 Mbps Ethernet port CableLabs DOCSIS 3.0 Certified  Genie app DLNA capability   PROS Fast self-activation for Xfinity customers Download speed: 343 Mbps Upload speed: Up to 143 Mbps   CONS Complaints of random rebooting Overheating issues Ultra-bright LED lights No USB port  
3) NETGEAR N600 Wi-Fi DOCSIS 3.0 Cable Modem Router –  $109.99

  This modem is tested and certified by CableLabs ® to work with nearly all U.S. cable service providers including Comcast, Cox, Time Warner Cable, Brighthouse and Cable ONE. The N600 comes in black, measures 4.5 x 1.63 x 67.6 inches and weighs 12.5 ounces
FEATURES Genie app DLNA capability Download speed: As high as 340 Mbps Upload speed: 120 Mbps   PROS Dual-band 2.4 and build-in 5 Ghz Wi-Fi router USB Port Gigabit Ethernet   CONS Slow Wi-Fi speeds Pricey for some

4) Cisco DPC3010 DOCSIS 3.0 8×4 Cable Modem $57.49

  This modem provides the great value for your money. The DPC3010 measure 11.1 x 7.8 x 2.2 inches and weighs in at 1.1 pounds. Compatible with major US Cable Providers: Cox, Charter, WOW, Mediacom, Comcast, Suddenlink, etc.   FEATURES 8 bonded downstream channels and 4 bonded upstream channels. Download speed: Excess of 320 Mbps Upload speed: Up to 120 Mbps   PROS Easy setup and install Download speed Easy and installation and compact size. USB port   CONS Some complaints about compatibility with Comcast Known to have overheating issues Some connectivity issues

5) Linksys High Speed DOCSIS 3.0 Cable Modem – $59.95

  The Linksys Advanced Cable Modem is compatible with Comcast/Xfinity, Time Warner Cable, Cox & Charter. This modem measures 1 x 3.9 x 2.8 inches and weighs in at 3.5 ounces.   FEATURES Intel Puma 5 chipset 8 bonded downstream channels and 4 bonded upstream channels. Download speed: Excess of 343 Mbps Upload speed: Up to 120 Mbps   PROS Easy plug and play setup   CONS Reports of overheating and case melting Modem’s activity light brightness can be annoying Firmware issues No USB port   Other Points The top modems conform to DOCIS (Data Over Cable Service Interface Specifications. Additionally, modems should be compatible with Internet Protocols version IPv6 and the older IPv4.  USB ports are handy if you wanted to add a harddrive to wirelessly share content on your network. Maximum speed depends on your service provider and the plan that you chose.  Overall performance can be impacted by many factors, conditions, and variables, including products used, number of users accessing the Internet, type of traffic generated by each user (interactive browsing versus video streaming), interference, and other adverse conditions.  You can check you upload and download speeds at www.internetspeedtest.com, http://openspeedtest.com/, http://speedof.me/, or www.speedtest.net. Results may vary from site to site. Prices listed are subject to change.